Smoke generator



H. E. WHITMAN SMOKE GENERATOR Sept. 8, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 15, 1957 IN VEN TOR.

HUM/Q0 1 l VH/TM/I/V H. E. WHITMAN Sept. 8, 1959 SMOKE GENERATOR 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15, 1957 INVENTOR.

HUWI/PD E: W/// TMA/V BY /W ATTORNEYS H. E. WHITMAN SMOKE GENERATOR Sept. 8', 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 15, 1957 OOQOOOOOOOOOOOO OQOOOOQOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IN VEN TOR. #0144420 5 W/v/TMAA/ BY 7% 9 a A TTOR/VEYS Sept. 8, 1959 H. E. WHITMAN 2,902,991

SMOKE GENERATOR Filed Aug. 15, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. v HUM/Q0 E W/V/TMA/V ATTO/QNfYS United States Patent SMOKE GENERATOR Howard E. Whitman, Middletown, Conn.

Application August 15, 1957, Serial No. 678,379

7 Claims. (Cl. 126-595) This invention relates to a smoke generator which is particularly adapted to supply smoke for the curing of meats in a smoke house.

It is the general object of the invention to provide a smoke generator for the aforesaid purpose which is of simple and economical but sturdy construction, which can easily be installed and operated and maintained, which is substantially foolproof in operation and which provides the required smoke most efficiently.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention and such embodiment will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the generator;

Fig. 2 is a front view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a top or plan view of the generator;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken as indicated by the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an additional vertical sectional View taken as indicated by the line 5-5 ofFig. 2; and

' Fig.6 is aperspectiveview of a portion of the apparatus and showing the fuel hopper in tilted position.

A smoke generator constructed in accordance with the present invention has the general appearance of a furnace, and is preferably constructed of sheet metal. The smoke generator comprises principally a hopper for the fuel, a box-like body 12 supporting the hopper and also supporting a stack 14, and the said generator also includes a water pair 16 which is adjustably supported on the bottom of the box-like body 12.

V The preferred fuel for this and other generators which areutilized to provide smoke for the curing of meat is sawdust. A supply of sawdust is provided for sustained operation of the smoke generator by filling the hopper 10 which is preferably provided with a detachable top cover or lid 18. The hopper can be provided in any desired shape, but in the preferred form the hopper is of rectangular horizontal section and the front wall thereof is inclined while the other walls thereof are substantially vertical so that the hopper has a rectangular opening at its bottom of less area than the rectangular opening at the top which, is covered by the lid 18. It is a further preferred feature of construction that the hopper 10 is supported over the box-like body on angle iron bars 20, 20 which rest upon flanges 22, 22 or other angle iron bars I provided at the top edge of the body 12. The said an-gle When the hopper is disposed in the operating position, the bottom end portion thereof projects well into the body 12.

The said box-like body is open at the top and open at the bottom and it has substantially vertical side walls and front and back walls, and the body is supported in an elevated position with respect to the floor or ground by legs 28, 28. The hopper 10 is supported adjacent the front end of the body 12, and the front wall of the body is provided with a suitable opening which is framed by forwardly projecting walls 30, 30 to define an inclined opening which may be closed by a draft door 32 hinged to the front wall of the said body. The draft opening provides access to the interior of the generator body for the purpose of lighting the fuel as well as providing an opening for the passage of air.

An imperforate vertically disposed plate 34 is located transversely of the generator body 12 and is secured to the side walls thereof rearwardly of the rear wall of the hopper 14). A grate 36, preferably in the form of a perforate sheet metal plate, is disposed within the generator body between the transverse wall 34 and the front wall thereof. The grate is preferably disposed at a slight angle and in relatively closely spaced relationship to the bottom end of the hopper 19, which is also preferably inclined at a substantially equal angle. The grate supports the burning or smouldering sawdust which is disposed within the hopper. Only that portion of the sawdust within the hopper which is at the lower end thereof burns. Preferably, the walls of the hopper adjacent the lower end are slotted as indicated at 38, 38 to provide louver-like openings for the passage of air. It will be seen with reference to Figs. 1 and 5 that a fire can be lighted in the lower end of the hopper by an operator who has access through the draft opening at the front end of the generator body. In lighting the fire, excelsior or similar material is placed within the hopper for initial burning, and then the hopper is filled With sawdust which will burn or smoulder only adjacent the grate 36 where air is available.

It will be seen that the stack 14 is supported in a substantially vertical position by the generator body 12 adjacent the rear end thereof whereby the said stack is spaced from the hopper 10. The space at the upper end of the generator body between the hopper and the stack can be closed by a damper 44 which is operable by a handle 42. The damper 40 is pivotally supported on the projecting rear ends of the angle bars 20, 20 and a counterweight 44 is adjustably supported on the handle 42 so as to balance the damper in any adjusted position whereby the efiective opening between the hopper and the stack can be controlled as desired. Thus, in addition to the draft opening provided in the front wall of the generator body there is provided a second draft opening in the top of the generator body between the hopper and the stack.

It will also be observed that the portion of the front wall of the stack 14 which is disposed within the generator body is inclined so that the effective opening at the bottom of the stack is less than the opening above the generator body. The thus defined inclined wall 46 of the stack receives water which sprays from a pipe 48 located transversely of the stack 14 and adjacent the rear wall thereof above the generator body. The water spray is provided to arrest any flame or spark within the stack and the Water flowing down the inclined wall 46 empties into and supplies the water pan 16. In addition, a screen 49 is disposed generally transversely of the stack in the lower end portion thereof to arrest sparks.

The stack 14 can be provided in any desired configuration for connection with a smoke transferring conduit (not shown) directed to the smoke house. In the form shown, the upper portion 50 of the said stack is formed to provide a circular end for connection to a conduit as described.

The water pan 16 is substantially rectangular and is provided in a size sufficient to surround the-bottom end portion of the generator body 12 and, preferably, the water pan is pivotally supported on the rear end of the body as by one or more hinges 52. The water pan is supported at the front end of the generator body by providing an elongated bar 54 which is pivotally connected to the side walls of the pan and which can engage either of a pair ofcleats or brackets 56, 56 extending across and secured to the front face of the generator body below the draft opening therein. When the support bar 54 engages the uppermost cleat 56, the pan will be supported in the full line position shown in Fig. 1 and when the bar engages the lowermost cleat, the pan will be supported in the broken line position of Fig. 1.

As previously mentioned, water spraying from the pipe 48 flows over the inclined front wall 46 of the stack 14- and falls into the water pan 16. Obviously, the water level in the pan will be at the top edge of the front wall thereof. When the pan is in its uppermost position (the full line position of Fig. l), the water covers the bottom edge of the transverse wall 34- in the generator body and it also covers the bottom edge of the inclined front wall 46 of the stack 14. Thus, in the upper position of the water pan, the water therein prevents the passage of air and smoke under the transverse wall 34 and under the front wall 46 of the stack so that no smoke can pass into the stack. When the water pan is supported in its lowermost position, the bottom edge of the transverse wall 34 is still covered with water but the bottom edge of the inclined wall 46 of the stack 14 is disposed above the water level.

From the foregoing description of the water pan and the relationship of the water therein to the transverse wall 34 and to the front wall 46 of the stack, it will be seen that the water in the pan provides a damper. That is, in all positions of the water pan 16, the smoke generated by the burning sawdust in the lower end of the hopper must pass from the lower end of the hopper over the transverse wall 34 before it can enter the stack 14. It can only enter the stack 14 when the pan is dropped to its lowermost position, thereby providing passage space around the lower edge of the stack wall 46. The path which the smoke follows is shown by the arrows in Fig. 1. In addition to providing a shut-off damper for the smoke generator when disposed in its uppermost position, the water pan 16 provides a flame and spark arrester when disposed in its lowermost position to permit the passage of smoke. That is, the body of water within the pan tends to extinguish sparks that may be carried in the smoke stream. Any sparks or flame carried into the stack will, of course, be extinguished by a screen 49 and/ or by the water spray from the pipe 48.

In operation of the generator, the front draft door 32 is opened for the passage of air into the generator body 12 over and through the grate 36 and into and through the lower end of the hopper It) by passage through the openings 38, 33 provided therein. The manually adjustable draft 4-0 is also positioned between the hopper and stack 14 to provide for the passage of air which further facilitates the draft and passage of smoke into the stack.

The front draft door 32 is preferably automatically controlled responsive to temperature in the smoke stack 14. That is, a conventional thermo-responsive unit 60 is secured to the stack and has a probe 62 extending therein so as to sense temperature within the stack. By conventional electrical circuit means (not shown), the thermoresponsive unit 60 controls operation of a conventional electrical motor 64 which is connected by linkage means indicated generally at 66 to adjust the position of the draft door 32. Thus, the draft from the front of the generator box 12 is automatically controlled responsive to tempera ture.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a smoke generator, the combination comprising a generator body open at the top and open at the bottom, a fuel supply hopper supported by said body in the forward portion thereof, the said hopper having an open bottom end projecting into the body from the top thereof, a stack supported by said body rearwardly of the hopper and with its bottom end portion spaced from the hopper and projecting into the body, a grate supported within said body to support burning fuel at the bottom of the hopper, means defining a draft opening at the front of the generator body whereby the fuel can burn and generate smoke for passage to the bottom of the stack, and a water pan adjustably supported on the bottom of the body in underlying relationship to the stock for movement between an upper position wherein water in the pan closes the bottom of the stack to prevent the passage of smoke thereto and a lower position permitting the passage of smoke into the stack over water in the pan, the bottom end portion of the stack being arranged to project into the water pan when the water pan is in its upper position.

2. In a smoke generator, the combination comprising a generator body open at the top and open at the bottom, a fuel supply hopper supported by said body in the forward portion thereof, the said hopperhaving an open bottom end projecting into the body from the top thereof, a stack supported by said body rearwardly of the hopper and with its bottom end portion spaced from the hopper and projecting into the body, a grate supported within said body to support burning fuel at the bottom of the hopper, a partition extending across said body from the bottom thereof and spaced from the top thereof and disposed between the bottom end portions of said hopper and said stack, means defining a draft opening at the front of the generator body whereby the fuel can burn and generate smoke for passage oversaid partition to the bottom of the stack, and a water pan adjustably supported on the bottom of the body in underlying relationship to the stack for movement between an upper position wherein water in the pan closes the bottom of the stack to prevent the passage of smoke thereto and a lower position permitting the passage of smoke into the stack over water in the pan, the bottom end portion of the stack being arranged to project into the water pan when the water pan is in its upper position.

3. Ina smoke generator, the combination comprising a generator body open at the top and open at the bottom, a fuel supply hopper supported by said body in the forward portion thereof, the said hopper having an open bottom end projecting into the body from the top thereof, a stack supported by said body rearwardly of and in spaced relationship to the hopper with its bottom end portion projecting into the body, a grate supported within said body to support burning fuel at the bottom of the hopper, means defining a draft opening at the front of the generator body whereby the fuel can burn and generate smoke for passage to the bottom of the stack, a damper supported at the top of the body between the hopper and the stack to provide a controllable draft opening at the top of the generator body, and a water pan adjustably supported on the bottom of the body in underlying relationship to the stack for movement between an upper position wherein water in the pan closes the bottom of the stack to prevent the passage of smoke thereto and a lower position permitting the passage of smoke into the stack over water in the pan, the bottom end portion of the stack being arranged to project into the water pan when the water pan is in its upper position.

4. In a smoke generator, the combination comprising a generator body open at the top and open at the bottom, a fuel supply hopper supported by said body in the forward portion thereof, the said hopper having an open bottom end projecting into the body from the top thereof, a stack supported by said body reardwardly of and in spaced relationship to the hopper and with its bottom end portion projecting into the body, a grate supported within said body to support burning fuel at the bottom of the hopper, a partition extending across the body between the bottom end portion of the hopper and the stack so that smoke generated in the bottom of the hopper must pass over the partition before entering the stack, means defining a draft opening at the front of the generator body, a damper supported between the hopper and the stack to provide a controlled draft opening therein which cooperates with the first mentioned draft opening in controlling the burning of fuel and the flow of smoke from the hopper to the stack, and a water pan adjustably supported on the bottom of the body in underlying relationship to the stack for movement between an upper position wherein water in the pan engages the bottom of the partition and closes the bottom of the stack to prevent the passage of smoke thereto and a lower position wherein water in the pan engages the bottom of the partition but opens the bottom of the stack to the passage of smoke over water in the pan, the bottom end portion of the stack being arranged to project into the water pan when the water pan is in its upper position.

5. In a smoke generator, the combination comprising a generator body open at the top and open at the bottom, a fuel supply hopper supported by said body in the forward portion thereof, the said hopper having an open bottom end projecting into the body from the top there of, a stack supported by said body rearwardly of the hopper and with its bottom end portion spaced from the hopper and projecting into the body, a grate supported within said body to support burning fuel at the bottom of the hopper, means defining a draft opening at the front of the generator body whereby the fuel can burn and generate smoke for passage to the bottom of the stack, a water pan adjustably supported on the bottom of the body in underlying relationship to the stack for movement between an upper position wherein water in the pan closes the bottom of the stack to prevent the passage of smoke thereto and a lower position permitting the passage of smoke into the stack over water in the pan, the bottom end portion of the stack being arranged to project into the water pan when the water pan is in its upper position, and means supported in said stack for spraying water to arrest spark and flame therein that may be carried with the smoke, the said water flowing from the stack into the pan to maintain a body of water therein.

6. In a smoke generator, the combination comprising a generator body open at the top and open at the bottom, a fuel supply hopper supported by said body in the forward portion thereof, the said hopper having an open bottom end projecting into the body from the top thereof, a stack supported by said body rearwardly of the hopper and with its bottom end portion spaced from the hopper and projecting into the body, a grate supported within said body to support burning fuel at the bottom of the hopper, means defining a draft opening at the front of the generator body whereby the fuel can burn and generate smoke for passage to the bottom of the stack, a water pan adjustably supported on the bottom of the body in underlying relationship to the stack for movement between an upper position wherein water in the pan closes the bottom of the stack to prevent the passage of smoke thereto and a lower position permitting the passage of smoke into the stack over water in the pan, the bottom end portion of the stack being arranged to project into the water pan when the water pan is in its upper position, and a screen disposed generally transversely in said stack to arrest the passage of flame and sparks with smoke therein.

7. In a smoke generator, the combination comprising a generator body open at the top and open at the bottom, a fuel supply hopper supported by said body in the forward portion thereof, the said hopper having an open bottom end projecting into the body from the top thereof, a stack supported by said body rearwardly of the hopper and with its bottom end portion spaced from the hopper and projecting into the body, a grate supported within said body to support burning fuel at the bottom of the hopper, means defining a draft opening at the front of the generator body whereby the fuel can burn and generate smoke for passage to the bottom of the stack, a water pan adjustably supported on the bottom of the body in underlying relationship to the stack for movement between an upper position wherein water in the pan closes the bottom of the stack to prevent the passage of smoke thereto and a lower position permitting the passage of smoke into the stack over water in the pan, the bottom end portion of the stack being arranged to project into the Water pan when the water pan is in its upper position, means supported in said stack for spraying water therein to arrest the passage of flame and sparks with smoke, the said water flowing from the stack into the water pan to maintain a body of water therein, and a screen disposed generally transversely in said stack below said water spraying means also to arrest the passage of sparks and flame with smoke.

Jensen June 2, 1953 Porwancher et a1. Jan. 31, 1956 

